Near the end of the description of the worthy woman, Lemuel says, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all’” (Proverbs 31:28-29).

This has been a point I’ve thought about a lot. Ephesians 6:1-2 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother …’” Children owe it to their parents to be obedient and respectful, but aren’t parents obligated to act in a way that would deserve honor and respect?

A father who doesn’t respect his wife enough to be faithful to their wedding vows hasn’t earned the respect of his children. A husband who verbally and/or physically abuses his wife, maybe in front of his children, doesn’t deserve to be honored. A wife who doesn’t submit to her husband doesn’t possess praiseworthy virtue. A wife who explodes in anger over the smallest matters doesn’t deserve esteem. Parents, if you’re wondering why your children are being difficult and disrespectful, you may need to look at yourself.

Kyle Campbell